President's Updates

July 2024

President Wubah

From mid-June through mid-July, I had the opportunity to travel to East and West Africa. These trips afforded me some excellent opportunities to represent Millersville University across Africa. In June, I met with a delegation of Millersville students and faculty from the AEST department who were visiting Academic City University College in Ghana. They were there to strengthen our ongoing partnerships with universities in Ghana through collaborative projects. At ACU College, our MU students built equipment to recycle plastic with their counterparts. They also visited the University of Cape Coast during the trip. I was thrilled to see our 'Ville team bringing their knowledge and expertise to impact the UCC community positively.

In early July, I was honored to give the keynote address at the Uganda Christian University Annual Public Lecture and later delivered the commencement address to about 1,160 graduates. I was accompanied on this trip by MU First Lady Dr. Judith Wubah and Dr. Charity K. Alinda, Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services, who is also a UCU alumnus. During my visit, we signed a new partnership agreement with UCU that will benefit our students through academic exchange programs.

While we began the new fiscal year waiting patiently for an approved state budget, the legislative budget leaders, led by esteemed alums Senator Scott Martin and Representative Jordan Harris, worked diligently to craft a final plan. I am pleased to share the positive news that the state budget negotiated by Governor Shapiro and the legislature was approved last week with key investments in higher education, including an additional $35.1 million, or 6%, to PASSHE universities. The final budget includes state dollars for students pursuing high-demand occupations, increased funding for scholarships and grants to make college more affordable, and a new State Board of Higher Education to provide more support and coordination among higher education institutions to meet Pennsylvania’s workforce needs.

After the state budget's approval, the PASSHE Board of Governors held a special meeting and voted unanimously to freeze tuition for in-state undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year. This marks the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain constant at all 10 universities. Together with our move to a Flat Rate Tuition Model, which our Council of Trustees approved earlier this year, our Millersville University students and their families will realize significant savings this year and in future years. This outcome aligns with the first pillar of our strategic plan, which focuses on our collective efforts to increase access and enhance affordability for our students.

I am thrilled to congratulate Dr. Brandon W. Danz '03, a dedicated alum and member of our Council of Trustees, on his recent appointment by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to serve on the PASSHE Board of Governors. Trustee Danz participated in the first BOG meeting of his current term on July 11. This is the second time he has served on the BOG. Two decades ago, while Dr. Danz was a student at Millersville University, he was selected to serve as the BOG student representative. We appreciate his dedicated service to Millersville and the Commonwealth.

In this edition of the President's Update, I highlight information about a recent agreement with HACC to provide new opportunities for students to enter our highly successful RN to BSN program. The new Concurrent Enrollment Program will help accelerate a student’s path to earning a BSN or even an MSN degree. Also, I am pleased to introduce you to our new student inductees into the Cygnus Society and offer congratulations to sophomore Kate Vossen and senior Evelyn Orlowski for their all-star presentation on their owl pellet findings at the Barn Owl Event at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinarian School. Finally, you can read about our new "Stop the Bleed" program, which helped earn Millersville University the 2024 Innovation Award for Safety Culture for a small school and the spring recap from campus recreation and club sports.

As we head into the final month of summer break, it is never too early to start making plans on your calendar to attend the EPPIIC Weekend Celebration (August 22-25), the State of the ‘Ville/Garden Summer (Sept. 6) and Homecoming Weekend (Sept. 20-22). We have so many wonderful events and activities to launch a great academic year.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

From RN to BSN in as Little as 12 Months

nursing student examining a toddler

According to the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, the state is predicted to face a shortage of over 20,000 nurses by 2026, the worst in the nation. However, a new agreement between Millersville University and HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers a promising solution for Central Pennsylvania. The Millersville/HACC Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Concurrent Enrollment Program was announced on June 12 on Millersville University’s campus.

“This innovative partnership between Millersville University and HACC is a win-win for everyone,” says Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville University. “It allows us to create a seamless pathway for students to pursue their nursing careers, meets our EPPIIC value of serving the public, while addressing the critical need for more qualified nurses in our region.”

Dr. John J. “Ski” Sygielski, HACC’s president and CEO, said, “HACC is thrilled to partner with Millersville University on this initiative, which will give HACC nursing students a head start on their BSN program while completing their studies at HACC.”

Students can take one Millersville course per term while working on their registered nursing degree at HACC. This concurrent enrollment means that once they complete their HACC degree, they can finish their BSN at Millersville University more quickly. Concurrent education students are expected to complete their BSN within 12-15 months after graduating from HACC. Some students can finish in as little as 6-12 months.

Students will be assigned advisors at MU and HACC, who will collaborate to help them achieve their academic goals. After earning their ASN from HACC, the MU advisor will continue to guide their academic progress through the BSN program.

All MU courses will be fully online and span seven weeks. Depending on the student’s credit needs, enrollees can take telehealth certification and other 300-level nursing courses, such as professionalism and environmental health. Concurrent education students will also have access to the Millersville University library and other MU resources and be eligible for undergraduate scholarship opportunities.

Any HACC student accepted into the HACC Nursing Program can apply for the Millersville RN to BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program. Students must be accepted into HACC’s ASN program before applying to MU. Participation in the Concurrent Enrollment Program is optional; HACC students may choose to complete their ASN before beginning their BSN.

Meet the Newest Class of the Cygnus Society

Members of the Cygnus Society stand with Dr. Wubah

Get ready to meet Millersville University's newest faces of excellence. These outstanding students are part of the esteemed Cygnus Society, a prestigious group that celebrates scholarship, integrity and leadership. Chosen for their remarkable contributions to the MU community, these 12 individuals are set to make a lasting impact during their one-year term.

"I am deeply honored to be in the second class of Millersville's Cygnus Society," says Cierra Strawbridge. "I look forward to working with Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, president of Millersville and my peers to continue putting forth Millersville's EPPIIC values. As a transfer student, I've had the opportunity to experience multiple campuses, and I can truly say that becoming a Marauder has changed my post-secondary educational experience for the better."

As official ambassadors of the Office of the President, Cygnus Society members play a crucial role in representing Millersville University. Throughout the academic year, they'll take on special assignments at key University events and functions, showcasing their dedication to leadership and service. Sporting the prestigious society's insignia, a distinctive medal and a pin, they'll embody excellence and inspire their peers with their commitment to making a difference.

“It is a true privilege to work with the accomplished student leaders who serve on the Cygnus Society. These students have a passion for Millersville, and it is evident through their work both as part of the Cygnus Society and outside of it,” says Dr. Mary Beth Williams, vice president of student affairs at Millersville University.

Below is a list of the newest members and their major(s):

  • Julianne Aniceto, Early Childhood Education
  • Kylie Calogero, Music Education & Vocal Performance
  • Ariana Cuba-Rivera, Secondary Education-Mathematics
  • Hope Davis, Business Administration
  • Josephine Dombach, Middle-Level Education
  • Julia Fallows, Secondary Education-English
  • Kayla Mitchell, Communications/Public Relations
  • Samuel Morris, Communications/Public Relations
  • Emily Riley, Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Emma Schneider, Early Childhood Education
  • Cierra Strawbridge, Psychology
  • Joshua Zietak, Entertainment Technology and Occupational Safety and Environmental Health

To become a member, students must be a current junior (60 or more credits) with a GPA of 3.25 or higher at the time of application, demonstrate commitment and knowledge of MU and have an expected graduation date the following year.

For more information, visit MU Cygnus Society.

"Stop the Bleed" Implementation Earns 2024 Innovation Award

Stop the bleed event

In a mass casualty event, every second counts. When people are losing blood and may not make it to the hospital without immediate intervention, do you know what to do? Are you prepared to help save a life? Thanks to the Environmental Health and Safety Director Paul Hill, our campus has the tools and training to act swiftly in such emergencies. The "Stop the Bleed" program, a collaboration between Hill and the Wehrheim School of Nursing, helped earn Millersville University the 2024 Innovation Award for Safety Culture for a Small School.

The initiative equips students and staff with the essential skills to manage severe bleeding and potentially save lives. It includes installing "Stop the Bleed" kits across campus.

“This award represents a new culture of safety at Millersville University and evidence of the lengths to which we will go to not only treat significant injuries but also to evaluate the hazards present on our campus and take action to mitigate the potential for harm,” says Hill.

The "Stop the Bleed" program aims to save lives by preventing significant blood loss after traumatic injuries. This initiative includes a comprehensive training program and the installation of bleeding control kits across campus, ensuring that students and staff are prepared to act swiftly in emergencies.

The "Stop the Bleed" campaign was initiated by a federal interagency workgroup convened by the National Security Council Staff. The campaign aims to enhance national resilience by preparing the public to save lives through awareness of basic actions to stop life-threatening bleeding following everyday emergencies and disasters. This initiative is informed by advances in military medicine and hemorrhage control research from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, exemplifying the translation of battlefield knowledge to benefit the general public at home.

“I am hopeful that individuals on campus feel empowered to develop processes that improve the safety of their work areas and to contact EHS if concerned about safety, health and preparedness issues on campus,” says Hill. Additional Stop the Bleed training classes are planned for the fall semester.

For more information, contact paul.hill@millersville.edu or EHS@millersville.edu.

Millersville Students Impress at PennVet Presentation

Millersville University students sophomore Kate Vossen and senior Evelyn Orlowski wowed attendees with their all-star presentation on their findings during owl pellet dissection at the Barn Owl Event at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinarian School this spring. The PennVet professionals were impressed by their “depth of knowledge, engaging delivery, and the seamless flow of their presentation.” Their academic excellence and professional poise showcased the exceptional talent and dedication nurtured at MU.

Kate Vossen is a biology major with a concentration in animal behavior. She’s from Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

Why was this project important to you?

I have always loved animals, which translated into an interest in conservation. As a kid, I loved the television show Wild Kratts; that's where I started learning about conservation. As I have gotten older, I have been lucky enough to have some truly amazing opportunities in conservation. Last summer, I participated in a conservation education internship at Elmwood Park Zoo and wanted to continue working in this field. I was lucky enough to have a fantastic academic advisor, Dr. Brent Horton, who connected me to Dr. Aaron Haines and Evelyn Orlowski and the work that they were doing and quickly started helping and later presenting with Evelyn. I think it is so important to connect some serious topics, like the conservation of disappearing and endangered animals, with fun and educational activities like dissecting owl pellets. That kind of activity can be utilized in an academic setting for people of all ages and can help with education on conservation. I certainly didn't expect this project to turn into such an amazing experience in conservation education, but I am so glad it did.

What’s next for you?

I am going back to work at my local doggy daycare, my yearly service project working on repairing homes in Appalachia and summer class at Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Virginia, for the summer until I come back to Millersville to start my junior year. Once I return to college, I will continue to work at our campus rock climbing course, manage the mixed martial arts club as club president, and hopefully continue and expand our work in Dr. Haines' conservation lab.

Evelyn Orlowski is a biology major with a concentration in animal behavior. She’s from Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Why was this project important to you?

I have always enjoyed dissections as a kid. Dr. Aaron Haines informed me of the opportunity to participate in research on this project. Working with professionals in conservation has been such an amazing opportunity, and I have benefited so much from it. I have gained interest and motivation from industry professionals to continue diving further into the project. This project has been meaningful to me because of the opportunities to work on a real-life problem affecting barn owls and small mammal conservation in the state.

What's next for you?

Over the summer, I will work at a local veterinarian practice and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, fostering kittens and continuing this research project by identifying the skulls to genus.

Club Sports Teams Thrive at MU

Bowling team poses for a photo

Millersville's club sports teams earned various accolades during the 2023-2024 school year. Below are the highlights of each team's incredible accomplishments:

Men’s Lacrosse Club:
The men’s lacrosse club received the #1 seed in the Keystone Conference Playoffs Tournament, which Millersville hosted on Saturday, April 27, at Pucillo Gymnasium. Millersville won 11-1 versus Scranton and became division champs. The team continued onto the National College Lacrosse League (NCLL)'s Keystone Conference, competing against Kutztown University, winning 8-3. The team made it to the conference's Elite 8, where they lost against Kentucky University.

Bowling:
The men's and coed bowling teams competed in the Collegiate Club National Championships, competing against the country's top 24 men's/coed teams.

Ice Hockey Club (D2):
The Division 2 ice hockey club played in the Colonial States College Hockey Conference (CSCHC). They became the division champions, clinching their division and receiving the #1 seed in the Colonial Cup Playoffs. This is the first time they have won the conference since 2015. ○ Four MU players were selected as CSCHC All-Stars:

  • Kye Dunigan #21
  • Jackson Bell #1
  • Cole McCulley #11
  • Jacob Burke #14

Equestrian Club:
The equestrian club brought home two 1st place ribbons, one 2nd place ribbon, four 4th place ribbons, and two 5th place ribbons from the various shows they competed in this year.

Dance Team:
The dance team competed in the College Classic 2024 National Championship, placing 11th in the Division 2 Pom category and 8th in the Division 2 Jazz Category. This is the first time in the club’s history that they have competed in the Division 2 Pom category.

Men’s Volleyball Club:
The men’s volleyball club competed and won the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Volleyball Conference (MACVC), making them the 2024 champions. This is the third time in the club’s history that they have won the conference – they last won in 2002 and 2011.

Ultimate Frisbee (MOOSE):
The ultimate frisbee team competed in the High Tide Ultimate Tournament over Spring Break this year and placed 3rd overall. The team was placed in a bracket within the top 8 seeded teams. Their first game was against Northern Michigan, which was seeded 5th, which Millersville won 13-4. In the semifinals, they competed against the 1st seed, Division 1 Penn State. They lost with a score of 13-9, in which they secured 3rd place over 18 teams in the tournament.

Women’s Soccer Club:
The women's soccer team competed in the NIRSA Championship Series. They qualified for their league's Regional Tournament and received a bid to the National Tournament. The team competed in the National Soccer Championships November 16–18, 2023, in Round Rock, Texas. This is the first time in the club's history that they have made it to this level of competition.

Women’s Volleyball Club:
The women’s volleyball team took home 1st place at the Northeast Women's Volleyball Club League Rowan Tournament at Rowan University. They finished second in the tournament with a score of 7-3. This is the first time in the club's history that they have achieved this ranking.

Club tennis and men’s club soccer teams are coming to Millersville for the first time in the Fall 2024 semester! If you are interested, contact information can be found here.

MU Continues Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Earlier this year, State Senator Art Haywood and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission released a report on racial harassment at state schools. Haywood embarked on his “ENOUGH Listening Tour” from April 2022 to November 2023 to visit PASSHE Schools across the state, listening to students’ experiences and taking note of each school’s efforts to address racism and build up students of color.

In Haywood’s report, Millersville University was noted for providing opportunities for students and staff to learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The report also explains how Millersville University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion is conducting research to create a comprehensive, long-term strategy for best supporting its marginalized students.

The University's Chief Diversity Officer, Carlos Wiley, explains that the specific goals of this research are first to find out why students of color might leave Millersville or are successful at the University. "We're also conducting an equity scorecard to see what inequities may be blocking students of color from being successful," he adds. "Or, if students are successful, we're hoping to discover how to upscale those things that are helping them."

Wiley also notes that to meet student needs, the Intercultural Center is looking to expand its staff to further facilitate all departments on campus to work on their own plans for inclusive excellence. "This way, we can better serve and meet the needs of our students of color and all of our marginalized student populations."

In addition to this research, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion ensures there are many opportunities to provide information to the community, including in-person and online workshops. Through the Intercultural Center, these workshops focus on four components: the art of listening, cultivating connection and belonging, dismantling our prejudices and building empathy and self-awareness. In the fall, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will offer non-credited certificates related to these workshops.

The report also highlights the importance of having these conversations about diversity and inclusion in the classroom. “Students from different backgrounds can engage with students who may have differing beliefs and cultural practices that they can engage with. This will make our students better equipped to enter a diverse workforce,” Wiley adds.

“Through the research we’re doing, we will also get more in-depth information from students around their experiences with racial harassment or bigotry,” Wiley concludes. “We can then begin to build in some programs for events like orientations and EPPIIC Welcome Weekend, which will allow us to talk to students about where they can report these things and what steps have already been taken for us to address them.”

Additionally, the Behavioral Intervention Team provides a web form for students to report harassment and discrimination, which Wiley notes helps the University respond to situations in real-time. The Team is designed to assist in situations where students, faculty or staff are displaying disruptive or threatening behaviors that potentially impede their own or others' ability to function successfully or safely.